Bible Q&A: Best verses to memorise?

Our Bible Q&A series explores the questions you’ve asked us about the Bible.

This article represents the author’s personal view. It accords with Bible Society’s values, but is not intended to express our position as an organisation.

Answer:

It depends on what you mean by 'best'! But here are ten good ones. 

1. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1.1) 

This reminds us that God made everything and is sovereign over everything. 

2. Then Moses said to God, 'If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, "The God of your fathers has sent me to you," and they ask me, "What is his name?" what shall I say to them?' God said to Moses, 'I am who I am.' (Exodus 3.13­–14)

This speaks of God's transcendence. 

3. And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.' (Exodus 20.1–3) 

The beginning of the 10 Commandments speaks of God's absolute lordship. 

4. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8.1) 

Believers praise God for who he is and what he's done.  

5. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1.1)

John's Gospel begins with the incarnation of Christ. 

6. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3.16)

Jesus came to save us from our sins. 

7. 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.' (Luke 24.5–6)

Jesus' resurrection is at the heart of our faith. 

8. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2.1–3)

The Church is only the Church because of the Holy Spirit. 

9. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12.1) 

A new faith means we have to live a new life. 

10. 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!' (Revelation 5.12)

The Book of Revelation speaks of the triumph of Jesus.  

Have you got a question about the Bible? Let us know and we’ll do our best to answer it!

This article was written Mark Woods, who is Bible Society's Editor.​

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